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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Fgcu

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Campus, IL · On-site

Job Summary The Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) to join our team. The PRA will work with and ...

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$41.2K

$83.3K

$112.9K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Illinois is $83,297.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $112,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral AssociateResearch Scientist
Required credentialsPh.D. in relevant fieldMaster's or Ph.D., depending on industry
Work environmentAcademic labs, universitiesIndustry labs, corporate R&D
Employer and industry usagePrimarily academia and research institutionsPrimarily industry and corporate sectors
Common search intentResearch, academic career developmentProduct development, applied research

Postdoctoral Associates typically hold a Ph.D. and work mainly in academic or research institutions focusing on specialized research projects. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but are employed in industry settings, focusing on applied research and product development. The roles overlap in qualifications but differ in work environment and career focus.

What are Postdoctoral Associates?

Postdoctoral Associates are individuals who have recently completed their doctoral studies and are engaged in a temporary period of mentored research or scholarly training. They work under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member, typically at a university or research institution. The main goal of a Postdoctoral Associate is to deepen their expertise in a specific field of study, contribute to ongoing research projects, and prepare for an independent career in academia, industry, or other research-related fields.

What are some common challenges faced by Postdoctoral Associates when managing independent research projects?

Postdoctoral Associates often encounter challenges in balancing the demands of independent research with collaborative projects and administrative responsibilities. Managing time effectively, securing funding, and navigating the publication process can be particularly demanding. Additionally, Postdocs must adapt to the expectations of their principal investigator and the broader research team, while also building their professional network and developing a clear path toward future career advancement. Proactive communication and organizational skills are key to overcoming these challenges and making the most of the postdoctoral experience.

How much do postdoctoral associates make?

Postdoctoral associates typically earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on the field, location, and experience. Salaries can vary based on funding sources, institution policies, and whether the position is in academia or industry, with some positions offering additional benefits such as health insurance and research stipends.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Postdoctoral Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Associate, you need a doctoral degree in a relevant field, advanced research skills, and a strong publication record. Experience with specialized laboratory techniques, data analysis software (such as R or Python), and familiarity with grant writing or academic publishing platforms are typically required. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you effectively share findings and work within multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are essential for advancing research goals, securing funding, and building a successful academic or industry career.

Does a postdoctoral associate have a PhD?

Yes, a postdoctoral associate typically holds a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in their field. This position involves advanced research and often requires specialized skills and knowledge gained during doctoral studies.

What does a post-doctoral associate do?

A post-doctoral associate conducts advanced research in a specific field, often under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member. They perform experiments, analyze data, publish findings, and may mentor graduate students, typically working in academic or research institutions with specialized tools and methodologies.

Is postdoc harder than PhD?

A postdoctoral associate role typically involves more independent research, higher expectations for productivity, and longer hours compared to a PhD program. While a PhD focuses on completing coursework and a dissertation, a postdoc emphasizes publishing, grant writing, and establishing an independent research agenda, making it generally more demanding in terms of responsibility and workload.
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:
Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $83,297 per year, or $40 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Fgcu

Campus, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Job Summary

The Regional Economic Research Institute (RERI) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) to join our team. The PRA will work with and directly report to the Director of the RERI, Dr. Amir B. Ferreira Neto and is located in Fort Myers, FL.
This position will engage in nationally visible academic research and sponsored projects, and develop economic projects for RERI stakeholders, including local government, businesses, and university units. The PRA will assist in developing and implementing customized empirical analyses for RERI's internal and external stakeholders, producing documents that address clients' questions and create knowledge relevant to the Southwest Florida community. The PRA will be involved in data acquisition, management, and analysis, writing reports and papers, developing presentations for clients and stakeholders, and applying for external funding, including grants and consultancy-like contracts.
The PRA must have strong empirical research skills (econometrics, statistics, input-output analysis, and/or other quantitative methods). The position does allow for time for work on independent research within work hours, and it therefore provides an opportunity for further developing an independent research portfolio. The position will provide opportunities to develop a teaching portfolio.
This is a 12-month position, with the possibility of renewal, based on performance and pending external funding. The starting date is no later than August 2026.
Salary based on skills & qualifications/experience.

Job Description

Essential Job Functions:

  • Conducts economic research, write briefs and economic impact studies, and produce other reports using results from statistical analysis using software/tools such as IMPLAN, R, Excel, and others.
  • Collaborates with RERI faculty and staff to write reports and make presentations of findings to clients and potentially media outlets.
  • Creates and manages databases.
  • Analyzes the Southwest Florida economy, draws comparisons to the nation and with other areas in the states, and makes presentations of findings.
  • Assists in planning, design, and execution of research projects and preparation of research & grant proposals. May serve as co-Principal Investigator with leadership expectations and primary responsibility for end-to-end execution.
  • Conducts literature searches.
  • Assists in the dissemination of RERI work via social media, print, or other media outlets.
  • Teaches one 3h credit course per semester as determined by the Department of Economics and Finance chair.
  • Supervises undergraduate research assistants

Additional Job Description

Minimum Requirements:

  • PhD or ABD with expected completion by June 1, 2027, in relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Economics, Applied Economics, Geography, Demography, Sociology, or a related field by start date.
  • Experience in economic and econometric research, fiscal and economic impact analysis, regional economics, report writing, and business development
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research in high ranked economics journals and to present research findings to a variety of audiences.
  • Expertise in Input-Output Models such as IMPLAN and REMI, and econometric and statistical packages such as R, Python and/or Stata
  • Experience with survey analysis and programming in Qualtrics.
  • Experience in working on externally funded research, and writing grant proposals for research funding
  • Experience in working with spatial data and GIS software/packages.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Promote a common purpose consistent with stated University goals and demonstrate a commitment to students and the learning environment.
  • Knowledge of general written standards and procedures utilized, and can read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manual related to the job tasks.
  • Ability to respond to supervision, guidance, and direction in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies.
  • Provide quality customer service by creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
  • Present a professional image in word, action, and attire.
  • Ability to interact in a professional manner with staff, faculty, students, and the community in a service-oriented environment.
  • Apply effective techniques to create working relationships with others to achieve common goals; successfully communicate and collaborates with others to achieve goals.
  • Demonstrate skills necessary to look at situations and processes critically to make recommendations for improvement.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit the following materials: cover letter, curriculum vitae with names, phone numbers and email addresses of 3 recent professional references, and samples of your research (job market paper or representative publication).

Questions about specifics of the Postdoctoral Research Associate may be sent to Amir B. Ferreira Neto (aborgesferreiraneto@fgcu.edu).

Application deadline: 07/31/2026, with priority to applications by 07/01/2026

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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